If there were a “Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Books,” its members would be appalled at the apparent lack of concern for the proper care of books. Most people, I dare say, would have their libraries salvaged by covert fanatical bibliophiles who place battered collections in the homes of true book lovers.
While no such society exists, a list originally published in 1937 offers good advice on caring for your rare books and collectibles. Here are ten of those commandments for your bookkeeping pleasure:
1. You won’t pack your shelves too tightly. Packing the shelves too tight can lead to scuffs and tears on dust jackets and paperback covers.
2. You won’t pack your shelves too loose. Contrary to packing shelves too tightly, packing shelves loosely can cause the spine to roll and warp the covers.
3. You will not open new books with violence. Opening a new book too fast or with too much force can break the book’s spine, causing hinges and speeding up page loss and other unsightly damage. While you don’t have to treat your books like spun glass, you should handle them with respect and care.
4. You will not put your books face down with other objects stacked on top. Laying a book on its side and stacking other objects on top of it is a surefire way to bend or warp the boards or cause the book to “split” into a section or page when opened. Like warped wood, warped books are not good for building a collection.
5. You will not use large and bulky objects as markers. Closing a book around a bulky object will eventually cause hinges and other painful injuries to the book’s spine. Use only flat objects as bookmarks, such as bookmarks, that are made specifically for that purpose.
6. You will not use your books to level the legs of chairs or tables. While it may seem appropriate to misuse some books in this way, no book, no matter how poorly written or mangled, deserves this hellish fate.
7. You will not fold the corners of the pages to mark your place. Again, use a marker to mark your spot. Wrinkling the corners of the pages promotes tearing and creasing of the page, which not only detracts from the appearance of the book but also from its value.
8. You will not use a paper clip as a bookmark. The third time is the charm. Use only a marker created for that specific purpose to mark your place. Using a paper clip can not only tear the page, but also leave creases and other unsightly marks.
9. You will not use an elastic band to mark your place. As stated in the three previous commandments. Don’t do this unless you like funky branded and torn pages.
10. You won’t turn your pages too hard. While the binding of most books is strong enough to withstand some force when turning pages, excessive force will not only tear the pages, but also tear them out of the book.
Most books are made to last. But as with anything, improper care and misuse will not only shorten the life of your books, but also significantly decrease their value. Being a good steward of your books will ensure that others can enjoy them too.
